Colombian military under investigation for sexual abuse on minors

Accusations of sexual violence against young women by members of the army sparked after 27 June.

Some 118 members of the military are under investigation for sexual abuse against minors, informed Colombia's National Army Chief Commander Eduardo Zapateiro.

The figures are the results of an investigation that started back in 2016, as the army chief said that the institution would apply a "zero tolerance" policy regarding sexual abuse of minors.

Accusations of sexual violence against young women by members of the army sparked after 27 June when seven Colombian soldiers confessed after being arrested for charges of sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl from the Embera Katio Indigenous group.

During an online news conference broadcasted trough the army's Facebook account, National Army Chief Commander Eduardo Zapateiro said that out of the 118 soldiers and army officials, 45 were dismissed while the remaining 73 are facing criminal and disciplinary investigations by the attorney general and procurator's offices.